Tamil Nadu: Denied entry to forest, drunk man stabs forest guard

COIMBATORE: A 22-year-old drunk man stabbed a 57-year-old forest guard, who denied him permission to enter the reserve forest at Chadivayal check post on Sunday evening. The forest guard, who is attached to Boluvampatti forest range, is admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), where his condition is said to be stable.
The Karunya Nagar police have arrested C Nandakumar, of Kalkothi near Chadivayal, in connection with the incident.
According to a forest officer, the incident took place when Nandakumar was on his way to his wife’s house in a tribal hamlet inside the reserve forest. “When he attempted to cross Chadivayal check post, forest guard R Nataraj, who was on duty there, stopped him as he was drunk. Nandakumar pulled out a knife and threatened the forest guard. At one stage, he stabbed the forest guard on his abdomen, forehead and hands, and fled.”
Passers-by took Nataraj, a native of Kunnathur near Annur, to CMCH, where he is undergoing treatment. Based on his complaint, the Karunya Nagar police registered a case and arrested Nandakumar on Sunday night. Further investigation is on.